Age 63 of an apparent suicide. I've never been torn up over the death of a celebrity before, but this one is definitely a huge downer. I can't even begin to express the impact this man's comedy and characters had on me growing up.

Wow just read about this on Yahoo.
Sad News RIP Robin Williams.

Heart breaking! I agree it has me torn up as well, growing up under his comedy and movies he's been and still is a big inspiration to me.

Shocking at first indeed. Then I read he committed suicide and I think, what a selfish asshole

So sad. RIP Robin Williams.

Strange, before I found out about this, I kept doing quotes out loud from the genie in Alladin....

Another reminder for others out there to speak up. there is hope and no need at all to cope with mental illness alone.

Wherever he is, I wish him all the best and I'm gonna miss him bunches.

So sad that such a funny man that made people laugh could hide such sadness inside of him. Just goes to show that depression can hit anyone. RIP.

If you were lucky enough to catch one of his smaller club shows, you know that's where he shone brightest and best ... when his unparalleled and lightning-fast improvisational wit was free to come out and play. He could take anything, be it a heckler's rude intrusion or a horrific event in the news and turn it into a point of hilarity. The funniest show I ever saw came less than a month after 9/11 during the anthrax letters scare ... he came onstage in a gas mask and joked about sending tough women from Oakland to Islamist states to empower the women "not to dress like a beekeeper." Totally un-PC but it struck exactly the right chord in the context of grim paranoia at the time, when going to a comedy show was a "too soon?" proposition. But in those live shows he also always made fun of his own personal foibles and inner demons ... his struggles with booze, relationships, self-esteem, creative blocks. Even when I first saw him as a young man in 1979, he was already at war with being "Mork," a character that put him on the road to fame and fortune but that he really didn't care for and felt trapped by. He performed an anti-Mork exorcism in character as a sexually frustrated Mickey Mouse ... bizarre but hilarious. Unfortunately today's news makes it sounds like the demons got the best of him, but he gave the world a lot of smiles and laughs along the way and for that he'll long be loved.

The way they interrupted Jeopardy, I thought missiles had been launched or something.

No sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire? Somehow the world keeps spinning.

Sad news to hear this today; another loss to mental illness, but hopefully at least the high profile of his death will force people to pay more attention to the issue. It is unfortunate that the daily tragedies suffered worldwide still don't garner general attention to work towards acceptance of the seriousness of the issue and drive towards the necessary support.

Thanks for sharing that Dean. I think you've really captured where his strength and versatility lay, while I am sure every standard media outlet is focusing on his Oscar win and standard popcorn fare. He was an incredibly talented actor and comic, and his passing is quite sad. However you felt about him, he gave joy to a great many people, and his legacy will hopefully continue to do so. RIP.

He did a WTF with Maron a while back.
Worth a listen.

He was a funny fucker and no mistake . . . a damn good actor too.
I've been enjoying his work most of my life.

So long, Parry from the Fisher King.

Williams grew up and went to school in the very same area as I did. I say so not to imply any sort of connection, but even beyond what an impression that sit-com had on all of us of a certain age, more so than how ingrained his early televised stand-up burned into our young minds, I'll always remember him for being the subject of the first local man made good stories that I ever heard. However many mid-period comedy specials of his I ignored, or steam-rolling features films that didn't speak to me in the slightest, all I have to do is think back to childhood to love the man completely. I'm pretty sure that I'll always hold the belief that Popeye was criminally under-rated, too!

Bye bye, Robin. Say hi to Jonathan Winters for us.

The interview that Joe mentioned was just re-posted on Maron's site:
http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/ ... n_williams

If I ever have a daughter I'm going to name her Zelda too.

"Heard a joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says "But, doctor...I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laughs. Roll on snare drum. Curtains."

Sad to hear of his passing. RIP

So unexpected and very tragic (especially since he brought so much happiness to many). RIP Mr. Williams and condolences and sympathies go with his family

Season 1, Episode 1 - I think this is my very first memory of Robin

Goodbye Mr. Williams

I'm with ya man.. I feel like I can't process a world without Robin Williams.. Celebrity deaths are usually sad but this one has really shaken me

O' Captain, My Captain!

The world lost a great one that's for sure.

Sad indeed, RIP

Robin Williams on Actors Studio ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U48KpK1srx4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGhfxKUH80M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzKcHHKiXbM

Robin Williams at Richard Pryor Roast (1977)

Such a somber parable. Yet somewhat relatable in a way that depression is so complex and really fucking hard to deal with. "Just think happy thoughts," people say.

It's a Watchmen reference, which probably means it's referencing something else.

As a mental health practitioner, I believe this suicide was all too avoidable, especially when considering the resources Robin had at his disposal. Unfortunately, the USA (and most of the world) stigmatizes mental health. It is not just for severely depressed individuals, but can benefit everyone, regardless of current level of functioning.

Anyways, off my soap box. But yes, saying "just feel better!" or "think happy thoughts" is the dumbest thing anyone could say. As if they hadn't already thought of that.

watched a couple of hours of him on you tube, the whole time I wanted to cry but couldn't stop laughing. Such a strange feeling. Thank you Robin



thank you for sharing Tooth.

I generally don't give a shit about celebrities passing but was sad to hear about Robin Williams. Chances are if you or someone you know lives in SF, they've had a run in. I certainly had mine. Some were fleeting, some were oddly long and involved. It's cliche to say it but he treated you like you were old friends if you approached him. Rest easy Mr. Williams.

My carpenter said when he was working on a job in Marin, he'd always go to a local coffee store for muffins and breakfast before showing up at the jobsite. He was foofifying his tea and eating a muffin, and when he was backing out from the foofification station, he stepped on someone's toe, heard an "ouch!", and turned around to find it was Mr. Williams enjoying breakfast and reading a paper. Mr. Carpenter did remember to apologize in the midst of being very surprised. It's nice that Robin tried to live as "normal" a life as possible, and came back to his local hangouts.... And as trueadrn remarked, when you watch his films, you can't help but laugh, despite the sadness that prevails. ...so very missed